I truly believe it is unfortunate that Bruce Power did not feel welcome here in Southampton. As a community there is an opportunity to welcome new businesses and thank those businesses for considering our town to host their vision, whether big or small. It is also unfortunate that some questions and concerns were not expressed and heard democratically, as I believe the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) would have been widely supported by the opposition if it weren’t for communication break down.

The NII is clearly very important to Saugeen Shores with letters of support pouring in daily. It is such a privilege to live in a country that allows free expression of thoughts, passions and concerns, that they may be individual and unique.

“A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate. A society which eulogizes the average citizen is one which breeds mediocrity. What the world should be seeking, and what in Canada we should continue to cherish are not concepts of uniformity but human values: compassion, love and understanding.” Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau (remarks at the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress October 9, 1971)

The beauty of being human is we all perceive the world differently. To learn that there is more than one path or one way of thinking allows acceptance and understanding. To shame another person because they perceived a situation differently is not democracy. The basic human values our former Prime Minister mentions is a stage that allows Canadian citizens to shine their light on what is truly important to them, while enabling another to shine theirs.

I hope that letters of support continue to pour in with excitement and gratitude for this opportunity.